State bill goes after repeat drunk drivers

A Republican legislator is trying to convince his colleagues to support a bill that would ensure repeat drunken drivers spend time behind bars.

Rep. Jim Ott's proposal would clarify judges must impose a minimum three-year prison sentence on seven-, eight- and nine-time drunken drivers and a minimum four-year prison sentence on 10-time offenders and beyond. Judges also would have to impose a minimum 30-day jail sentence on anyone who causes an injury while driving with a blood alcohol content between 0.04 percent and 0.08 percent.

Ott told the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday he drafted the bill after a state appeals court ruled last month Wisconsin law doesn't require minimum sentences beyond the sixth offense.

The Wisconsin Counties Association argued the bill likely will drive up jail costs.

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